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Dusting sand off fragments of parchment...

This is your starting point.

Sign up here to access everything you need to bring each of the four phases to life, with ready-to-use resources and clear next steps you can adapt for your church.

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This spring,
the church

moves together

moves together

moves together

moves together

again.

In the ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt

Archaeologists uncovered a fragile scrap of papyrus containing the oldest Christian hymn ever found, complete with both lyrics and musical notation.

The feature documentary The First Hymn follows this ancient song from desert burial to modern resurrection.

hosted by john dickson

The film traces the history, theology, and music of the hymn, and its meaning for the Church today.

Worship leaders Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding reimagine the melody for modern congregations, culminating in a live worship performance that reconnects today’s Church with its earliest chorus.

coming to theatres for two nights only - March 24  & 26.

We're inviting church leaders to turn those two nights into something bigger: a shared journey toward unity.

Two cinema nights. One shared moment.

ONE CHURCH
ONE SONG
ONE VOICE

a shared church journey

This isn’t a one-off screening. It’s a coordinated journey churches can walk together leading into Easter - through story, song, and shared gathering.

Each church retains its own identity - but you'll share a common thread:

  • A song that belongs to every tradition

  • A story older than our denominations

  • A powerful act of worship in public view

When you register, you receive ready-to-use resources and a simple guided path towards true unity.

Phase 1

community

Now through February

leaders invite leaders

There is something powerful about choosing to walk together.

Reach out to pastors and ministry leaders in your area and invite them into a shared moment of unity, where The First Hymn becomes a quiet companion in forming deeper bonds as the body of Christ.

We'll provide:

  • Shareable film assets (you can start by sending them this page)

  • Sermon and small group guides

  • Worship song resources

Phase 2

experience

February - March

Prepare Your Church

Share the story and build anticipation.

Introduce the song to your worship team, show the trailer in a service, and help your congregation connect worship, Scripture, and the story of the early church. Let your people know what is coming and why it matters.

We'll provide:

  • The Pastor’s Packet, a simple guide to engaging your church with the film

  • Worship resources to introduce The First Hymn song

  • Teaching and sermon tools to help your congregation go deeper

  • A shareable trailer to spark curiosity and conversation

  • Promotional resources for your team and volunteers

  • The Theatre Watch Together Host Guide for small groups to build meaningful community around the film

Phase 3

culmination

In theatres March 24 & 26 only

Fill the Theatre Together

Let a full theatre become the testimony.

Attend the same screenings across your city, sit alongside believers from other churches, and let the shared experience speak for itself.

We'll provide:

  • Ticket links to help your congregation take part in a shared experience that goes beyond the screen

  • Group theatre buyout options for churches, small groups, and community gatherings

  • Promotional resources to help your team communicate the heart of the story

Phase 4

unified
gathering

Late March/Early April

Gather as One Around Easter

Take a courageous step and join or host a unified pre-Easter worship gathering.

Multiple churches, one voice, carrying shared unity into the most meaningful weekend of the year.

Let the moment The First Hymn has sparked become space to build relationships, welcome new friendships, and refocus together on what we hold as precious.

Sing together. Hear stories of what God is doing. Share a meal. Connect. Then lift your voices again.

We'll provide:

  • Event planning resources

  • Worship set recommendations

  • Promotional templates

  • Stories from other regions who've done this

Why This Matters

The Church has spent too long fragmented. Not over the essentials, but over style, preference, history, and habit. The First Hymn offers something rare: a shared story that belongs to all of us. A song rooted not in any single tradition, but in the earliest words the Church ever sang together.

This is a chance to step into that inheritance. To stand beside other congregations in your city and say: we are one body. To let your community see what it looks like when the Church moves together.

It won’t solve everything overnight. But it can start something real.

what audiences are saying

When the first performance came on, my skin all tingled.

When the first performance came on, my skin all tingled.

Fascinating, informative, delightful and moving.

Fascinating, informative, delightful and moving.

Moved. Connected.

Moved. Connected.

I have never seen anything like this. Quite profound.

I have never seen anything like this. Quite profound.

Uplifting, edifying, very singable

Anonymous

A legacy of 1800 years worshiping the same God now in a new context.

Anonymous

When the first performance came on, my skin all tingled.

When the first performance came on, my skin all tingled.

Fascinating, informative, delightful and moving.

Fascinating, informative, delightful and moving.

Moved. Connected.

Moved. Connected.

I have never seen anything like this. Quite profound.

I have never seen anything like this. Quite profound.

Uplifting, edifying, very singable

Anonymous

A legacy of 1800 years worshiping the same God now in a new context.

Anonymous

An amazing story of three hymn and history of Christianity, wonderfully woven together.

Anonymous

Moves the soul and stirs the spirit, reminding you of the incredible story we are a part of, the role music has played in our faith for centuries, and the value of beauty and artistry to glorify God and edify the church.

Nathan

You'll come away singing the song for the rest of the night as it really stirs your heart.

Anonymous

Enlivens the past which connects us to be present. Both the traditional score and modern version are delightful

Anonymous

Inspirational on so many levels. History-making, History-changing. Unifying - all that follow Jesus, we are one. How great is our God!

Anonymous

It made me feel connected with fellow believers who lived in another time and place.

Anonymous

An amazing story of three hymn and history of Christianity, wonderfully woven together.

Anonymous

Moves the soul and stirs the spirit, reminding you of the incredible story we are a part of, the role music has played in our faith for centuries, and the value of beauty and artistry to glorify God and edify the church.

Nathan

You'll come away singing the song for the rest of the night as it really stirs your heart.

Anonymous

Enlivens the past which connects us to be present. Both the traditional score and modern version are delightful

Anonymous

Inspirational on so many levels. History-making, History-changing. Unifying - all that follow Jesus, we are one. How great is our God!

Anonymous

It made me feel connected with fellow believers who lived in another time and place.

Anonymous
REVIEWS

Be Part of the Moment

Together, we get to be part of something that truly matters.

When you join, you receive:

  • The journey timeline

  • Early access to resources

  • New material as it releases

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Resurrecting a song buried for millennia.